I'm planning on keeping my 92 Z03 Vert as original as possible, and wanted to see what you guys thought about hoses and clamps.

Should I worry about replacing the screw type clamps that have been installed on some of the heater hoses and radiator hoses with the factory grey spring type clamps?

My local dealer says that the GM cooling system hoses are discontinued, is there someone offering them? I could always put napa hoses on... just not sure if it would be worth the extra effort.

 

If I remember correctly,(cars not here)didn't they use Good Year hoses.
If not what do they offer as a replacement???

 

Original hoses have dates printed on them in white ink. Replacements of course do not, but if you drive the car, you would be safer with the replacement hose.

Original clamps on the other hand will still have good clamping function as long as they are nice and loose. You can lube up the old ones so they slide and clamp properly, and help give the engine compartment a very original look.

 

I agree with what eseibel67 has said.

Classic Industries offers alot of heating/cooling hoses and they claim some are made by Goodyear whom indeed did supply many of the factory hoses. However, I have not seen any of them in person so I have no clue what, if any ink markings are on them. But, one could call them and have any markings described over the phone.

 

The replacement GM hoses have white ink printed on them but not the date codes. ( I have paid up to 50$ for each hose for a set of GM repacments)
You may find some clamps if you do some searching.

 

Rock Auto has both Good Year and AC Delco hoses for our cars, but whether they are perfectly correct or not I have no idea.

 

Ahh, NOT the date codes which could be a focal point by judges in the future. This same 'date code thing' happened in the Vette and 1stgen Camaro worlds many years ago. Since then, repop companys have added date codes to the hose.

 

I'm gonna try and get the AC Delco replacement hoses and order up a selection of the factory spring clamps to replace the screw clamps. The white lettering on the original hoses really makes it look legit original, but not sure its worth the extra money and time ordering them at this point... It has replacement tires ya know

 

I have several year of hoses and the codes changed almost daily for our cars.
Even the radiators had a ink date code on the DR side tanks.

 

IMO it's not worth the time and money that could be spent on other area's of the car that matter alot more. As long as the hoses and clamps you have are good I would leave them and move on.

 

Upper rad hose and clamps are the first thing you see when you pop the hood.

 

I agree. The stainless screw hose clamps stick out like a sore thumb too...

 

Where are you getting these AC Delco hoses from may I ask? Have you seen them Live and in Person? I ask because photos can be VERY deceptive in a catalogue. Ask me how I know.

 

I agree too, but unless it's a 100 resto I would send money in other area's then worry about the small details later-that is just my opinion. I mean I have a good eye for details and judged some local car shows as well and I will notice a nice SS hose and stuff like that, but never once have I ever dogged a car because of the non-OEM hoses and clamps, but again I was not judging 100 point restos.

 

One of my normal AC Delco parts suppliers.... Factory Motor Parts. I haven't even seen pics. I will just send them back if they are not correct. Commercial accounts are awesome

 

Yeah the areas on the car that I can, I'm going to do my best to keep is visually original. The underhood on this car has not been played with which is usually a little rare, so I want to keep it original as possible when talking dollars and cents. When it things that add up to big dollars, or too much time, aftermarket O.E. replacement will have to do.

I just want the next owner or who ever to look under the hood and say wow that is just how they came... as much as possible.

The date coded hoses might be a little too concours for this one LOL!

 

Yeah I know what you mean, The only thing under my hood that you see that is not stock is the ALT, battery, cap/rotor,wires and PCV hose-all same things. All the AIR set up is still on there as well.

 

Nice under-hood badnblk - it looks quite original and I would encourage you to keep it that way. It could be used as a reference car in the future.

If it were mine, I'd do whatever it takes to the 'correct' hoses on it.

 

"Nice"??? HAHA!!! So nice they left the original dirt and grease from 92 in there LOL! I'm hoping the A/C Delco hose will be good enough. I doubt most will notice. At this rate it will probably not ever be a show car.

 

Here is a pic of a 60k mile formula 350 with the stock clamp and hose. This looks like a 87 and earlier hose(non serp belt car) because of the lettering on the top of the hose.
I know the 89s had lettering and a dat code on the bottom along with the word "engine" close to the t-stat, so the correct side gets put on the T-stat and water pump.
I'm not sure its the stock rad because all the ones Ive seen b4 have a date stamped on the tank where the ink letters and numbers are.
Could it be factory? It could be but I'm not 100% sure..
I also think the 91or 92 cars started using the springy type of clamps. I'm thinkn my 92s have them.


This is not the correct clamp on the t-stat neck but is the nos hose from above..

 

I've got the original hose on my 90 RS; it also has a spring clamp on the T-stat neck. However, the clamp on the radiator end is just a hose clamp...the radiator was replaced a few years back IIRC. You'll note that the radiator hose states the date as well as the shift that it was made--mine says 092189AM, or September 21st, 1989, AM shift:

 

I forgot about this thread and thought I would update. My supplier for hoses did not have any better hose than the Napa hoses. I used screw clamps, but made cure to clock them so they were not obnoxious. I think it turned out pretty well, and I don't think many would really pick it apart for the lack of OE hoses and clamps.

 

Looks really nice!!!They may forgo the hoses!! but they will look for the clamps.

 

Well if the hoses are not enough of a dead give away that it has been maintained, the clamps will be the next... Oh well.

Just didn't seem like it was worth the effort after running an aftermarket hose.

 

I removed and stored my upper radiator hose shortly after taking delivery of my 1LE in 1992. Here are a few pictures of a relatively pristine factory hose.

 

Great idea! If I ever buy a collectible car new that is a really good idea.

 

Where these hoses dated in 86???I can't remember if they were or not!!!!

 

Guys, I've done 1000 point judging and the hoses and belts are not scrutinized like you may think. As long as the hose is the correct shape and uses the correct clamps, you should be good. Nobody wants to drive a 25+ year old car on the original belts and hoses when you can replace with new and be sure that you will get to your destination. Judges know this and don't want to deduct points and have you be unsafe on the roads.

In more recent judging, as long as the car has the correct replacement parts, you're good. If the car came with 245/50-16 tires, it better have them on it for judging. Good luck finding VR rated tires. Also, good luck finding Delco Freedom II batteries. Keep the proper AC Delco battery and you're good. Replace the hoses, but keep the correct clamps. Replicating the stampings is over the top if you ask me and a waste of money, time and enjoyment of the vehicle.

The reason I say this is that you lose the enjoyment when you go overboard. I got so bad that I bought replacement hood insulation tabs with the exact part number as the ones that are on it now. There are aftermarket ones that look identical, there are factory replacements, but they either don't show the part number or they show the updated part numbers. Sorry guys, but you need to enjoy the car. Keeping it looking original is fine, just don't over do it.

BTW, My car was judged 996/1000 points with new belts and hoses, battery, tires, firewall relays, spark plug wires, and who knows what else. But, I also got the car home after the show!!!!

 

Damn, that's a nice hose. 3 thumbs up for superior foresight.